A World of Wings

About Michael Simmons

Michael is an internationally recognised bird trainer. His passion for his birds is evident in all that he does with them in their training. He has displayed his birds at large Venues such as Leeds Castle and Colchester Zoo. He has worked as a consultant to the Merlin Entertainments group and Essex County Council. Michael has lectured at Colleges and Universities. He has also been an assessor for the LANTRA falconry qualification and presented talks at the BIAZA conference. Michael received an award from the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators in 2012 for the training achievements with Southern Ground Hornbills.

Hi
My whole life I have had an obsession with animals of all kinds. I have been told ,when I was only 6 or 7 years old I would comment on the size of enclosures and its suitability for the species housed within. I would watch displays and study animals when visiting animal collections with my family; it was a big part of my upbringing. I hope that younger members of our audience will benefit from encounters with wildlife in the same way that I did. It is a good sign that animal shows promote conservation and transfer facts to people of all ages as I can remember the names of all the animals and their species more than 20 years later!

Onwards through School, I had our dogs and other animals that helped me discover the countryside. At 10 years old I would walk the dogs before school every day of the year. I loved the relationship between the dogs and me and always felt so happy when outside with them.

At 12 years old I started working with horses, leading to a job that I was offered at 14 looking after a stable yard and horses. I had a particular favourite, an ex New Market race horse called Print Finisher - Prinny for short. She was bold and didn't tolerate many people; we quickly became friends and connected. I have never been a brilliant rider, I could never understand why I needed to jump over fences or compete. I was happy trekking around in the countryside on a horse that was happy too. I was always told to be careful of Prinny, but we would run together and she would buck and frolic - never once did she hurt me in years, a true understanding.

At 16 years old I left school and took my lifestyle and experience with horses and got a summer job at Colchester Zoo. A six week summer job, turned into a 5 year stay. I was offered an opportunity by the Zoo Manager Richard Sprugeon, to work as a parrot and sea lion trainer. At the end of my stay I had worked my way to head of a animal displays section and had experienced working with tigers, wolves, seals, monkeys and more. I bred birds at home, some of which I trained for the displays and are still working at the zoo today.

At 21 years old, I started working within Country Estates and Falconry Centres working with Hawks and Falcons. Hunting birds of prey highlighted the need for getting the birds to work with me and not against, to create a partnership.

Onwards from working for others, I started setting the foundations for A World of Wings. The name of my company, and a reminder of the corridor of birds that I cared for at the Zoo. The name represents me spreading my wings and basing our work with birds that are trained to be free. As that's what I have loved the most, whether it was my dogs running loose, the horse frolicking freely or birds soaring in the sky. These actions in my eyes show animals off in their natural form - when they appear wild they seem so contented.

Since then I have lectured at Colleges, produced Talks to Professionals, installed bird shows to Tourist Attractions, trained birds for Breeding Programmes and have learnt a lot about myself and the animals I have worked with along the way.

A World of Wings is a Journey to share the amazing world of animals with others, so that they can experience the marvels that I have been so privileged with.

I always say to people that are starting out training or working with animals that an animal will not work with you because you are qualified. You must qualify to them.

"Understand, Build a Relationship and Create a Partnership".

Thanks to all that have helped me to where I am today!
Michael